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–Not graded
Natural hazards in Washington · FEMA

Storms, floods and disasters in Washington

Washington isn’t graded for hazard risk: Washington has 928 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.

Flood claims
0
paid since 1978 · $0
Disasters paid out here
6
of 32 declared for McClain County
By hazard

What Washington faces

Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.

River and rain flooding

54%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Tornadoes

15%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 9 years in the area

Hail

12%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 12 times a year in the area

Wildfire

9%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Earthquakes Strong wind Winter storms Cold waves top 2% Lightning Hurricanes Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts tornadoes at 29% of Washington’s expected losses. Tornadoes do little damage to buildings (15.4%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Flood insurance claims

Does Washington flood? No paid flood claims on record

FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Washington. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.

of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Washington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: McClain County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
70storm safe rooms built
Disasters

6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Washington

Disasters that paid out in Washington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Washington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes34 households applied for aid$166K aid approved
  2. 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
  3. 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$69K aid approved$14K to the Town of Washington for repairs
  4. 2010Severe Winter Storm$8K to the Town of Washington for repairs
  5. 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes15 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
  6. 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$4K to the Town of Washington for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in WashingtonMcClain County only

McClain County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.

Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in McClain County, 2006–2026.

Were you here?

Old photos of Washington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Washington archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Washington faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
  • Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
  • Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
  • A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
  • Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hail
  • Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
  • Stay away from windows while it falls.
  • Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Wildfire
  • Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
  • Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
  • Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
  • Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
  • Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Washington

Is Washington in a flood zone?

Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In McClain County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Washington?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Washington’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.

What was the biggest storm in Washington?

By FEMA money that reached Washington, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2023): 34 households applied for aid, $166K approved.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Washington.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Washington’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.